Memories of the Occupation of Greece

In Germany, very little is known about the German occupation of Greece. In Greece, however, the occupation and the crimes committed remain very present. For the project “Memories of the Occupation of Greece” 93 biographical interviews with Greek contemporary witnesses have been filmed. Their memories of the occupation will be preserved for the future and edited for presentation on the internet.

Inside Hitler's Greece

“The Second World War remains invisible for the visitors who flow into Greece during the summer, relaxing on the sunny beaches or getting accustomed to the ancient ruined temples and theaters. But for those who know where to look, behind the fences of the old abandoned Jewish villas, the scars from the wounds of the Nazi occupation era still exist.”

Mark Mazower, Inside Hitler's Greece, 1994: 407

Interview Excerpts

Three excerpts from selected interviews provide a first glimpse into the interview collection. Efi Papatheodorou, Argyris Sfountouris, and Heinz Kounio speak about their experiences of the occupation of Greece.

Image Credits

Aktuelles

The Archive

93 contemporary witness interviews are available in Greek and German language for education and scholarly purposes. In addition to the videos, the collection includes transcripts, photos, documents and other supplementary materials.

The Method: Oral History

Oral history is the method behind the project. Life story interviews have the objective of stirring up memories of events that have long passed. The process is recognized throughout the world as a method for creating historical sources.